2007 Final Team Recruiting Class Rankings

Florida, Indiana, Syracuse, USC and Arizona boast the nation's best incoming classes

By Van Coleman

CSTV & Hoopmasters.com


	Van Coleman Van is one of the nation's premier recruiting experts. E-mail here!

Our Class of 2007 Final Player Rankings caused some minor adjustments to the recruiting classes in our top ten, but the major adjustment is Florida taking over the top spot and just nipping Indiana while Syracuse, the No. 1 team from the fall, checks in right behind them.

There were some notable changes for the Gators jumping from No. 8 in the fall to No. 1 in the end. In our final player rankings, Nick Calathes rose from No. 14 to No. 8 and his high school teammate Chandler Parsons jumped all the way from No. 53 to No. 34. Adding No. 35-ranked Jai Lucas in a late spring decision and earning bonus points for filling needs with potential starters has Florida moving by the talented Indiana class into our 2007 Final Team Recruiting Rankings top spot.

We've made adjustments to the rankings based on players once considered 2008 prospects who now plan to qualify for 2007, like No. 38 Beas Hamga (UNLV), and for players that have re-classified from 2007 to 2008, most notably Top 100 prospects Eshaunte Jones (former Indiana commit) and Isaiah Thomas (Washington commit).

However, the main reasons for the adjustments in our final top forty rankings came thanks to the re-ranking of teams with a number of late signees (Lucas to Florida, No. 11 Patrick Patterson to Kentucky) and players switching schools after coaching changes (No. 42 Alex Legion from Michigan to Kentucky).

Between all those coaching changes and having two important players in Patterson and Lucas wait the process out all the way until the final days of the spring signing period, it has been an uncharacteristic year for recruiting to say the least.

Word is even out that former USC commit and Top 150 caliber player Leonard Washington may now in fact qualify for the 2007 class and is considering Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi and Mississippi State.

If that was to happen and he does decide on one of those schools, we can offer fans of those programs these considerations: LSU would jump from No. 14 to No. 10, Kentucky from No. 22 to No. 14, Mississippi from No. 37 to No. 28 and Mississippi State into the 'Near Misses' category.

We realize that others may end up in this position, but feel it is safe to finalize our recruiting rankings at this stage in the game.

With that in mind, let's take the final look at our ranking of the nation's top forty recruiting classes for 2007:

2007 FINAL TEAM RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS

1. Florida (5) Signees: Nick Calathes 6-foot-4 SG Winter Park, FL Lake Howell; Alex Tyus 6-foot-7 Cincinnati, OH Harmony Community; Chandler Parsons 6-foot-8 WF Winter Park, FL Lake Howell; Adam Allen 6-foot-6 WF Milton, FL; Jai Lucas 5-foot-10 PG Bellaire, TX.

The Gators signed a nucleus that could lead them to future Final Fours. Nick Calathes has the tools to become a big-time scorer in the SEC, Parsons could become another Mike Dunleavy and Lucas takes the pressure off Calathes to be the primary ball handler. Tyus is another potential starter and Allen adds depth. With Billy Donovan back in Gainesville and four potential starters in this group, the Gators just nip Indiana in the final analysis by an eyelash.

2. Indiana (6) Signees: Eric Gordon 6-foot-3 SG Indianapolis, IN North Central; JaMarcus Ellis 6-foot-5 SG Chipola CC, FL; Brandon McGee 6-foot-8 PF Chicago, IL Crane; Eli Holman 6-foot-10 C Richmond, CA; Jordan Crawford 6-foot-5 WF Chatham, VA Hargrave Military; DeAndre Thomas 6-foot-8 PF Chipola CC, FL.

Kelvin Sampson's first full class has Hoosier fans buzzing. Gordon will put up big numbers while Ellis, Thomas, Holman, Crawford & McGee make for a bright future in Bloomington. IU could have as many as three of next year's starters coming from this group to help them make a run at the Big Ten title as early as next winter. Note: If Eshaunte Jones had been a qualifier and remained committed to the Hoosiers, they would have been a comfortable No. 1. As it stands, he's re-opened his recruitment and is re-classifying to 2008.

3. Syracuse (6) Signees: Donte Greene 6-foot-8 PF Towson, MD Catholic; Rick Jackson 6-foot-9 PF Philadelphia PA St. John Neumann; Antonio Jardine 6-foot-2 SG Philadelphia, PA St. John Neumann; Jonny Flynn 6-foot-0 PG Niagara Falls, NY; Sean Williams 6-foot-10 C Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame Prep; Kristof Ongenaet 6-foot-9 PF Cuesta CC, CA.

The top two jumped the Orange, who was No. 1 back in the fall, but Greene, Jardine and Flynn all have big-time futures in the Big East. Jackson and JUCO product Ongenaet will be a solid duo inside. Look for two to three new faces to challenge for starting spots this coming season as this group re-kindles big-time excitement in the Carrier Dome!

4. USC (5) Signees: O.J. Mayo 6-foot-5 PG Huntington, WV; Davon Jefferson 6-foot-7 WF Lenoir, NC Patterson School; Marcus Simmons 6-foot-5 SG Alexandria, LA Peabody; Mamadou Diarra 6-foot-11 C Simi Valley, CA Stoneridge Prep; Angelo Johnson 5-foot-10 PG Simi Valley, CA Stoneridge Prep.

Tim Floyd's Trojans add one of America's best in Mayo, who will be an impact talent next year in LA. Jefferson, Diarra, & Johnson will be the nucleus to future Pac-10 & NCAA success for the Men of Troy. With Nick Young moving to the NBA, look for Mayo & Jefferson to be the keys to replacing Young's numbers.

5. Arizona (5) Signees: Jerryd Bayless 6-foot-3 SG Phoenix, AZ St. Mary's; Jamelle Horne 6-foot-7 WF San Diego, CA Hoover; Alex Jacobson 7-foot-1 C Santa Ana, CA Mater Dei; Zane Johnson 6-foot-7 WF Phoenix, AZ Thunderbird; Laval Lucas-Perry 6-foot-3 PG Flint, MI Powers.

Jerryd Bayless will add immediate perimeter firepower, while Lucas-Perry adds back court depth. Point-forward Horne is versatile scorer who will give Cats instant offense off the dribble. This class starts re-building of title contender in Tucson!

6. Duke (3) Signees: Kyle Singler 6-foot-9 WF Medford, OR South Medford; Taylor King 6-foot-7 WF Santa Ana, CA Mater Dei; Nolan Smith 6-foot-3 SG Mouth of Wilson, VA Oak Hill.

The Blue Devils solidified a top ten spot last fall with the addition of Kyle "Larry Legend" Singler. He will be another in the great line of Duke frontcourt talents. Top forty calibers Smith and King will challenge for major playing time as freshmen. Coach K adds firepower from the perimeter as the beat goes on in Durham!

7. Purdue (6) Signees: E'twaun Moore 6-foot-3 PG East Chicago, IL Central; Scott Martin 6-foot-8 WF Valparaiso, IN; Robbie Hummel 6-foot-8 WF Valparaiso, IN; JaJuan Johnson 6-foot-10 C Indianapolis, IN Franklin Central; Greg Hill 6-foot-2 SG North Bridgton, ME Bridgton Academy; Chris Reid 6-foot-9 C Butte CC, CA.

Boilermakers make a statement that they are back with this class. Moore, Martin, Hummel, Johnson, and juco Reid form a strong nucleus to put Matt Painter's club in contention in the Big Ten!

8. Ohio State (5) Signees: Kosta Koufos 7-foot-1 C Canton, OH Glen Oak; Dallas Lauderdale 6-foot-9 C Solon, OH; Evan Turner 6-foot-6 WF Westchester, IL St. Joseph; Jon Diebler 6-foot-6 WF Upper Sandusky, OH; Eric Wallace 6-foot-6 Chatham, VA Hargrave Military.

Koufos is more than an adequate replacement for Oden while the perimeter trio of Turner, Diebler and Wallace add depth to ease the loss of Daequan Cook. The Buckeyes didn't get a replacement for Conley this spring, but it's another solid class to keep Thad Matta's squad at the top of the Big Ten!

9. Oklahoma State (7) Signees: Ibrahima Thomas 7-foot-0 PF Simi Valley, CA Stoneridge Prep; James Anderson 6-foot-6 WF Junction City, AR; Martavious Adams; 6-foot-9 C Irwinton, GA Wilkinson County, Nick Sidorakis 6-foot-6 Jenks, OK; Anthony Brown 6-foot-8 PF Carl Albert CC, OK; Brad Garrett 6-foot-5 CC of Southern Idaho; Marshall Moses 6-foot-6 CF Lenoir, NC Patterson School.

The Cowboys needed to re-stock the talent coffers in Stillwater, and this class goes a long way to doing just that. Anderson is a stud on the wing and Garrett will add instant firepower from the perimeter. Brown and Adams will give them bulk inside to compete with the best in the Big 12.

10. DePaul (5) Signees: Nayal Koshwal 6-foot-9 C Chicago, IL Boys to Men; Majita Poscic 6-foot-9 PF Highland CC, IL; Darquavis Tucker 6-foot-5 WF Saginaw, MI Arthur Hill; Mike Bizoukas 6-foot-1 PG Munster, IN; Mario Stula 6-foot-7 WF Decatur, IL Christian.

The Blue Demons get a couple horses inside in Koshwal and Poscic, plus immediate help on the perimeter in Tucker and Stula. Looks like Jerry Wainwright's squad is set to compete for first division spot in Big East.

11. Memphis (4) Signees: Derrick Rose 6-foot-3 PG Chicago, IL Simeon; Jeff Robinson 6-foot-6 WF Elizabeth, NJ St. Patrick's; Marcus Morris 6-foot-9 WF Philadelphia, PA Prep Charter; Markieff Morris 6-foot-9 PF Philadelphia, PA Prep Charter.

The Tigers may have added the last piece to the puzzle to an NCAA final four run in super point guard Derrick Rose. The perimeter trio of the Morris twins and Jeff Robinson add depth to an already deep squad.

12. Nebraska (8) Signees: Steve Harley 5-foot-11 SG South Plains CC, TX; Shang Ping 6-foot-9 PF Illinois Central CC, IL; Alex Chapman 6-foot-10 PF Sheridan CC, WY; Alonzo Edwards 6-foot-8 PF Houston, TX Klein Forest; Cookie Miller 5-foot-9 Cincinnati, OH Harmony Community; Brandon Richardson 6-foot-0 Hawthorne, CA; Ade Dagunduro 6-foot-5 WF Antelope Valley CC, CA; Tony McCray 6-foot-6 WF Fort Bend, TX Elkins.

The Cornhuskers have gone out and added lots of immediate help in JUCO's Harley, Ping, Chapman, and Dagunduro, but freshmen Edwards, Miller and Richardson add the depth needed to put this class among the top dozen here. Note: This class could have rated among the top ten if 6-foot-4 JUCO-super Rishawn Norwood hadn't opted to turn professional this spring.

13. Kansas State (6) Signees: Michael Beasley 6-foot-8 PF Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame; Dominique Sutton 6-foot-5 WF Lenoir, NC Patterson School; Jacob Pullen 6-foot-0 PG Maywood, IL Proviso East; Fred Brown 6-foot-2 PG West Palm Beach, FL Dwyer; Jamar Samuels 6-foot-8 PF Lenoir, NC Patterson School; Andre Gilbert 6-foot-7 CF Mt. San Jacinto CC, CA.

This class has had a number of in & out players. There's no doubt now that Beasley is staying in Manhattan that the Wildcats will have the best young forward tandem in the Big 12 - and maybe the USA - with him and Bill Walker. The rest of the class adds much needed depth to Frank Martin's Wildcats. Note: Had the above duo been in the same class, as it appeared they would last summer, the `Cats would have challenged for a top five spot. Walker ended that possibility when he qualified to enroll mid-semester last season and played in six games before a season-ending ACL injury.

14. LSU (5) Signees: Anthony Randolph 6-foot-10 WF Dallas, TX Woodrow Wilson; Garrett Green 6-foot-9 PF Woodland Hills, CA Taft; Quinton Thornton 6-foot-9 C Odessa CC, TX; Marcus Thornton 6-foot-5 SG Kilgore CC, TC; Bo Spencer 6-foot-1 PG Baton Rouge, LA Glen Oaks.

Frontcourt trio of Randolph, Green, and Thornton have some big shoes to fill. Randolph has big-time potential! Thornton will add perimeter firepower and Spencer gives them depth at the point. Tigers could be ready to roar once youngsters mature.

15. St. John's (7) Signees: Malik Boothe 5-foot-8 PG Middle Village, NY Christ the King; Justin Burrell 6-foot-8 PF North Bridgton, ME Bridgton Academy; Ayodele Coker 6-foot-10 C South Kent, CT School; D.J. Kennedy 6-foot-6 WF Pittsburgh, PA Schenley; Paris Horne 6-foot-3 CG North Bridgton, ME Bridgton Academy; Sean Evans 6-foot-7 PF Philadelphia, PA Northeast; Mike Cavataio 6-foot-4 SG Fresh Meadows, NY St. Francis.

The Red Storm added tons of depth, but the real key will be the inside development of Burrell and Coker, who both ooze potential. Add them along with the quick point guard Boothe, scorer Horne, and wingman Kennedy, and it's a solid nucleus to build future success around.

16. Cincinnati (6) Signees: Anthony McClain 7-foot C Fort Washington, MD National Christian: Jason Henry 6-foot-6 WF Cincinnati, OH Harmony Community; Alvin Mitchell 6-foot-5 SG Ft. Lauderdale, FL Cardinal Gibbons; Larry Davis 6-foot-3 CG Alief, TX Hastings; Rashad Bishop 6-foot-5 WF Newark, NJ St. Benedict's; Kenny Belton 6-foot-8 PF Greensboro, NC Dudley.

The Bearcats flexed their recruiting muscle this spring to crack the top twenty here. McClain and Belton add much needed size inside, while the perimeter trio of Henry, Mitchell, and Davis adds some firepower to open up the inside game. Cincinnati is ready to start to climb back up the ladder in the Big East.

17. Oklahoma (5) Signees: Blake Griffin 6-foot-8 PF Edmund, OK Oklahoma Christian; Tony Neysmith 6-foot-5 SG Norcross, GA; Chris Early 6-foot-7 WF Huntington, WV; Cade Davis 6-foot-5 WF Elk City, OK; Omar Leary 5-foot-11 CG Northeastern CC, CO.

Griffin and Leary will both have an immediate impact next fall in Norman. The wing trio adds depth and outside shooting off the bench. Griffin is a stud who will keep the Sooners in the hunt in the Big 12!

18. Michigan State (3) Signees: Durrell Summers 6-foot-4 SG Redford, MI Covenant Christian; Chris Allen 6-foot-4 SG Lawrenceville, GA Meadowcreek; Kalin Lucas 6-foot-1 PG Orchard Lake, MI St. Mary's.

The Spartans sign a quality backcourt trio in Allen, Summers, and Lucas that re-stocks a need for Tom Izzo's squad. All three will compete for major playing time as freshmen. Look for the Spartans to continue to compete for a Big Ten crown with this deep and talented backcourt.

19. Iowa State (6) Signees: Craig Brackins 6-foot-9 PF Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy; Lucca Staiger 6-foot-5 SG Decatur, IL Christian: Diante Garrett 6-foot-3 PG Milwaukee, WI Vincent; Charles Boozer 6-foot-5 SG Simi Valley, CA Stoneridge Prep; Marcus Brister 6-foot-3 CG Dallas, TX God's Academy; Clayton Vette 6-foot-9 Waverly, IA Waverly-Shell Rock.

Brackins solves the question of who will score inside for the Cyclones, and more help comes when you add in late signee Vette, Iowa's Mr. Basketball. Staiger, Boozer, Brister and Garrett re-stock the backcourt for Greg McDermott's club. The first step toward a Big 12 high finish comes with this class.

20. Pittsburgh (5) Signees: Cassin Diggs 6-foot-10 C Cloud County CC, KS; DeJuan Blair 6-foot-8 PF Pittsburgh, PA Schenley; Bradley Wanamaker 6-foot-3 SG Philadelphia, PA Roman Catholic; Gary McGhee 6-foot-9 C Anderson, IN Highland; Darnell Dodson, 6-foot-7 WF Greenbelt, MD Eleanor Roosevelt.

The Panthers re-stock their inside game with the addition of Diggs, Blair and McGhee, while wing shooter Wanamaker fills a real need for Jamie Dixon's squad.

21. Texas Tech (6) Signees: Ricardo De Bem, 6-foot-10 C Western Nebraska CC, NE; John Roberson 5-foot-11 PG Plano, TX; D'walyn Roberts 6-foot-8 PF Duncanville, TX; Mike Singletary 6-foot-5 WF Kingwood, TX; A.J. Hardeman 6-foot-7 WF El Paso, TX Del Valle; Darryl Ashford 6-foot-3 SG New Hampton, NH Prep.

De Bem gives the Red Raiders immediate help inside while Roberts could become a star in the future. Roberson and Singletary will add depth in the backcourt to help keep Bob Knight's club in the hunt for a top finish in the Big 12.

22. Kentucky (4) Signees: Mike Williams 7-foot-0 C Alexandria, VA Bishop Ireton; Patrick Patterson 6-foot-9 PF Huntington, WV; Alex Legion 6-foot-6 WF Mouth of Wilson, VA Oak Hill; A.J. Stewart 6-foot-9 PF Jacksonville, FL ACDS.

The late additions Legion and Patterson are impact freshmen, there's no doubt about that. Patterson will definitely give Gillespie's `Cats a real go-to guy on the blocks. Together, they lift the Wildcats into the top twenty-five.

23. New Mexico State (7) Signees: Herb Pope 6-foot-9 PF Aliquippa, PA; Jahmar Young 6-foot-5 WF Laurinburg, NC Institute; DeAngelo Jones 6-foot-4 SG Seattle, WA Rainier Beach; Aaron Castillo 6-foot-4 SG Las Cruces, NM; Paris Carter 6-foot-5 SG Cecil CC, MD; Aaron Castillo 6-foot-4 WF Las Cruces, NM; Jay Dee Luster 5-foot-9 PG San Diego, CA Hoover.

The Aggies get an impact talent in Herb Pope and immediate help from its JUCO Carter and prep point Luster. But, this class is still a little shaky with Reggie Theus heading to the NBA!

24. Georgetown (4) Signees: Austin Freeman 6-foot-5 SG Hyattsville, MD DeMatha; Chris Wright 6-foot-0 PG Washington, DC St. John's; Omar Wattad 6-foot-6 WF Johnson City, TN Science Hill; Nikita Mescharakov 6-foot-7 PF Frederick, MD St. John Prospect Hall.

The Hoyas add two impact talents to their backcourt in Freeman and Wright. Look for this duo to help keep them in the hunt for the Big East crown now that Roy Hibbert is returning to the D.C. Campus.

25. N.C. State (4) Signees: James Hickson 6-foot-9 PF Marietta, GA Wheeler; Tracy Smith 6-foot-7 PF Durham, NC Mount Zion; Johnny Thomas 6-foot-5 WF Greensboro, NC Day School; Javi Gonzalez 6-foot-0 PG Miami, FL Dr. Krop.

The Wolfpack add a monster inside in Hickson. He will be an All-ACC player before he leaves Raleigh. Tracy Smith will add instant offense. The Pack is starting to howl and the rest of the ACC better take notice!

26. Arizona State (5) Signees: James Harden 6-foot-4 SG Lakewood, CA Artesia; Jamelle McMillan 6-foot-3 PG Seattle, WA O'Dea; Kraidon Woods 6-foot-9 PF Swiftwater, PA Hill School; Rihards Kuksiks 6-foot-6 WF Melbourne, FL Florida Air; Ty Abbott 6-foot-3 SG Phoenix, AZ Desert Vista.

The Sun Devils add one of the west's best in Harden. He will make an immediate impact in Tempe. McMillan will be solid at the point as a freshman while Woods will add depth. Look for this trio to see major playing time next winter.

27. Virginia Tech (5) signees: Jeff Allen 6-foot-7 PF Chatham, VA Hargrave Military; Dorenzo Hudson 6-foot-5 SG Chatham, VA Hargrave Military; Malcolm Delaney 6-foot-3 SG Towson, MD Catholic; Terrell Bell 6-foot-6 WF Stone Mountain, GA; Henry Thorns 5-foot-10 PG Las Vegas, NV Valley.

Hudson and Delaney will add instant offense on the perimeter while Allen can be a horse in the paint. Bell adds depth while Thorn fills a need for a back-up point guard. The Hokies continue to make noise in the ACC. Note: The Hokies did rate among top twenty-five until Augustus Gilchrist opted for prep school.

28. Villanova (3) Signees: Corey Fisher 6-foot-1 PG Elizabeth, NJ St. Patrick; Corey Stokes 6-foot-5 SG Newark, NJ St. Benedict's; Malcolm Grant 6-foot-1 PG Winchendon, MA School.

Fisher is a prototype guard for the `Cats system and Stokes is one of the best shooters in the country. Add Grant for depth and this group will help put Villanova in the hunt for a Big East title.

29. Charlotte (6) Signees: Charley Coley 6-foot-7 WF Dodge City CC, KS; Lamont Mack 6-foot-7 PF Angelina CC, TX; Dijuan Harris 5-foot-9 PG Hillsborough CC, FL; An'Juan Wilderness 6-foot-6 WF Lenoir, NC Patterson School; Gaby Ngoundo 6-foot-7 PF Little Rock, AR Christian; Javarris Barnett 6-foot-5 SG Charlotte, NC Victory Christian.

The 49ers get immediate help in JUCO forwards Coley & Mack, while Harris has the tools to run the show. The rest of the preps will add immediate depth in Charlotte.

30. Florida State (4) Signees: Solomon Alabi 7-foot-1 C Montverde, FL Academy; Julian Vaughn 6-foot-10 PF Mouth of Wilson, VA Oak Hill Academy; Jordan DeMercy 6-foot-7 WF Norcross, GA; Chris Blake 6-foot-4 SG Mobile, AL Leflore.

The Inside duo of Alabi and Vaughn give the Seminoles an inside game to continue to climb the ladder in an always tough ACC.

31. Texas (4) Signees: Gary Johnson 6-foot-7 PF Houston, TX Aldine; Clint Chapman 6-foot-10 Camby, OR; Alexis Wangmene 6-foot-8 PF Blairstown, NJ Blair Academy; Dogus Balbay 6-foot-2 PG Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy.

Late signee Balbay helps to sure up the point guard spot while early signees Johnson (although may not play due to new-found heart condition) and Chapman will add immediate depth to the Longhorns' inside game.

32. Bradley (7) Signees: Anthony Thompson 6-foot-10 C Houston, TX Klein Forest; Sam Maniscalco 6-foot-1 PG Chicago, IL St. Patrick's; Will Egoff 6-foot-9 C Juneau, AK Douglas; David Collins 7-foot-0 C Missouri State-West Plains CC, MO; Tyrone Cole-Scott 6-foot-0 CG Tyler CC, TX; Rashad Austin 6-foot-7 PF Northeastern CC, CO; Theron Wilson 6-foot-5 SG Seward County CC, KS.

The Braves finished with a flurry of quality JUCOS in Collins, Cole-Scott, and Austin to go with its early signee Thompson. The class puts the Braves in the hunt for a Mo Valley crown.

33. Massachusetts (8) Signees: Papa Lo 6-foot-10 C Winchendon, MA School; Matt Hill 6-foot-8 PF Tilton, NH School; Matt Glass 6-foot-6 SG Northfield, MA Mt. Hermon; Trevon Wilcher 6-foot-8 PF Lee, ME Academy; Max Groebe 6-foot-5 SG Miami, FL Dr. Krop; Marcus Mathews 6-foot-1 SG Brooklyn, NY Bishop Loughlin; Gary Correia 6-foot-2 CG Northfield, MA Mt. Hermon; Trey Lang 6-foot-7 Marietta, GA Wheeler.

Late additions Correia and Lang to go with Groebe and Lo give the Minutemen a nucleus for future Atlantic-10 title runs.

34. UNLV (4) Signees: Beas Hamga 7-foot C Decatur, IL Christian; Mareceo Rutledge 6-foot-3 SG Yuba CC, CA; Emmanuel Adeife 6-foot-10 C Polk CC, FL; Kendall Wallace 6-foot-4 SG Mesa, AZ Mountain View.

The Runnin' Rebels add a dynamite inside duo in Hamga and Adeife to dominate the paint in the Mountain West. Rutledge is an instant offense guy who will make an immediate impact next fall. Look for UNLV to stay on top of the MWC again next winter.

35. Texas A&M (5) Signees: Denzel Bowles 6-foot-9 C Virginia Beach, VA Kempsville; DeAndre Jordan 6-foot-11 C Humble, TX Christian Life; B.J. Holmes 6-foot PG Alief, TX Hastings; Nathan Walker 6-foot-6 WF Deer Park, TX; Derrick Lewis 6-foot-3 SG Tulsa, OK Cascia Hall.

Jordan has the ability to be a dominator, Bowles will add depth inside, and Holmes could be a stellar floor leader in time. It's a solid nucleus for the future in College Station.

36. Illinois (5) Signees: Demetri McCamey 6-foot-3 PG Westchester, IL St. Joseph's; Rodney Alexander 6-foot-7 Redlands CC, OK; Quentin Watkins 6-foot-3 SG Compton, CA Dominguez; Billy Cole 6-foot-9 PF Peoria, IL Richwood; Mike Tisdale 7-foot C Riverton, IL; walk-on: Jeffrey Jordan 6-foot-1 PG Wilmette, IL Loyola Academy.

The Illini get some immediate help up front in JUCO product Alexander, while Cole and Tisdale add depth. Backcourt signees McCamey and Watkins will see lots of playing time as freshmen in Champaign.

37. Mississippi (6) Signees: Terrance Watson 6-foot-6 PF Mott CC, MI; Zachary Graham 6-foot-6 WF Lawrenceville, GA Peachtree; Wesley Jones 6-foot-5 WF Pearl River CC, MS; Chris Warren 6-foot PG Orlando, FL Phillips; Trevor Gaskins 6-foot-2 PG Alpharetta, GA Chattahoochee; Kevin Cantinol 6-foot-9 C Clearwater, FL.

The Rebels add immediate help on the wing in JUCO's Watson and Jones. Look for Warren and Gaskins to battle for the point spot in Oxford. This solid group keeps the Rebels on the rise in the SEC.

38. SMU (7) Signees: Papa Dia 6-foot-10 C South Kent, CT School; Ryan Harp 6-foot-5 SG Abilene, TX Cooper; Alex Malone 6-foot-8 PF Mansfield, TX Timberview; Mike Walker 6-foot PG South Kent, CT School; Benny Rhodes 6-foot-5 SG Durham, NC Mount Zion; Tomasz Kwiatkowski 7-foot-1 C Lee, ME Academy; Robert Nyakundi 6-foot-8 WF Arlington, TX Bowie.

The Mustangs build for the future and add immediate inside help in its trio of big men, headed by the 7-footer Kwiatkowski to build around for the future. Wing shooter Harp and wings Nyakundi and Rhodes improve overall athleticism while point man Walker can be a defensive stopper. This deep group has the Mustangs off and running.

39. Seton Hall (6) Signees: Jeremy Hazel 6-foot-4 SG Lenoir, NC Patterson School; Michael Glover 6-foot-6 PF Aston, PA American Christian; Brandon Walters 6-foot-9 C Brooklyn, NY Lincoln; Augustine Okosun 6-foot-10 C Harcum CC, PA; Mike Davis 6-foot-9 PF Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame Prep; Chris Smith 6-foot-3 SG Newark, NJ St. Benedict's.

Pirates re-build their frontline with an athletic trio of Walters, Davis, and Okosun. Look for Hazel to give them a shooter to open up lanes for the big guys.

T-40. Georgia Tech (3) Signees: Gani Lawal 6-foot-8 PF Norcross, GA; Maurice Miller 6-foot-1 PG Memphis, TN Raleigh-Egypt; Lance Storrs 6-foot-5 WF Decatur, GA Columbia.

Powerman Lawal will have an immediate impact next fall as a physical force. Miller & Storrs will add depth for the Yellow Jackets.

T-40. Alabama (3) Signees: Rico Pickett 6-foot-3 Decatur, AL; Senario Hillman 6-foot-3 SG Irwinton, GA Wilkinson County; Justin Knox 6-foot-9 PF Tuscaloosa, AL Central East.

Backcourt duo of Pickett and Hillman will continue the tradition of athletic guards that the `Tide has developed under Mark Gottfried. They will battle for major playing time next fall. Big man Knox has all the tools to be a major surprise for them as a freshman.

T-40. Gonzaga (4) Signees: Austin Daye 6-foot-9 WF Irvine, CA Woodbridge; Ira Brown 6-foot-5 WF Phoenix CC, AZ; Robert Sacre 6-foot-11 C North Vancouver, BC; Steve Gray 6-foot-3 SG Port Hadlock, WA Bainbridge.

Daye has star potential and big man Sacre could become a force in WCC.

Near Misses:

UCLA (2) Signees

South Carolina (6)

VCU (5)

UAB (5)

Colorado State (8)

Ball State (8)

UTEP (6)

Washington (4)

Maryland (5)

Southern Miss (6)